Flash light



Ju1 1,1930; J..FREITAG. 1,768,554

FLASHLIGHT Filed Deo- 1,928

15 INVENTDRS ATTORNEYS Patented July 1, 1930 NHTED STATES JOSEPH FREITAG," OF'ASTORIA, NEW YORK, Assicaron"ToBnre'inr swan BATTERY COMPANY, nc, on HOBOKEN NEW Jens-BY; a conrormrron on .NEW JERSEY' rLAsrr "mam Application filed December 6, 1928. SerialNo. 324,124?

This invention relates to flashlights of the type having a tubular casing provided at one end with a removable base cap and at the other end with a lens and reflector. In such flashlights, it .is customary to provide in the base cap a spring to contact with a battery arranged in the casing. Also, in some instances, nieans are provided in the cap to carry extra bulbs and a supporting bail is 10 pivotally connected to the cap.

An object of this invention is the base cap assembly in which a single member serves as the battery spring, the holder for extra bulbs and the means for connecting the bail to the cap.

According to this invention there is provided in the base cap a metal element consisting essentially of a central flat portion and end portions bent toward each other to form bows at the ends of the central portion and an. arch above such central portion. The base cap is provided with an aperture in its cylindrical wall through which one of the bows extend and a split circular bail is provided having straight end portions which extend into the aforementioned bow. The central flat portion of this member rests against the inner face of the end of the base cap and the arch formed by the end portions assumes a position to be engaged by the battery of the flashlight. The element is sprung into position and is frictionally retained within the cap. Clips are struck up from the central portion for the purpose of receiving and holding spare bulbs. 1

Other objects, novel features and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the following specification and accompanying drawings, wherein 11 of Fig. 4. r

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the holding element with the bail shown in phantom.

Fig. 3 is a view of the blank from which the holding member is made, and

Fig. 41 is a vertical section through the bottom end of a flashlight equipped with a base cap embodying the invention.

The tubular casing of the flashlight is designated by the reference character 10 and Fig. 1 is an enlarged section on the linethe base cap with which it is equipped'is designated bythe referencecharacter 11, while 12 designates the usual battery of a-flash'right,

Within the cap 11 there is provided a member 13; which has a central flatportion-13 lying incontact with the inner face of theend of the base cap l ly The end portions 13 of} the member 13 are bent toward each other to form loops orbows'l4 and 149- at either end of the central; portion 18 and an arch overlyin'g such central portion. The'b'ow 1 1 conr tac'ts with-the face of the cylindrical wall of the base cap 11' and thebow 1 1' proj'ectsthrough an aperture in the cylindrical wall {Of-the base cap. The member 13-15 provided with shoulders between the central portion 13 and the bow 1% which engage the edges of the aperture through which the bow l textend sand cooperatewith the bow 14 infrictionally holdin-gthe central portion 13 incontact with the end of the base capll.

The base cap 11 is provi'ded with aba'il 15 hingedly connectedthereto. This bail constitutesa substantially circular split ring hava in'g: straight end portions which project into the bow or loop MQA projection 16 struckout from the central portion of the bow 14; projects between the ends'o'f the bail 15 to prevent axial movement of the bail. This bail is of proper size snugly to enclose the base cap 1 1 when it'i's folded into the position shown'in Fig. t. This bail maybe easily swung into position to -be used as a means ofv suspending the flashlight simply by exerting pressure on the bail.

Spare bulbs 17 are supported within the base cap 11 by means of clips 18 struck up portions 19 projecting from the.

from wing central portion 13*. These clips are properly arranged to receive and snugly hold the base of a flashlight bulb. v

The holding member 13 is first formed from the blank shown in Fig. 3 into the form shown in Fig. 2. The holding member is then introduced into the base cap 11 with thebow 14 projecting through the aperture provided therefor and the bow 141 in contact with the inner cylindrical wall of the base cap, there being suflicient frictional engagement to hold the elements in their assembled relation.

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The ends of the bail 15 are then inserted into the ends of the loop 14. When the cap is assembled with the battery casing with a battery in place, the arch, formed by the end portions 13", contacts with the battery and supports the same as well as making electrical connection between the battery and the easing. The spare bulbs 17 are securely held by the clips 18 but are readily and easily acces- 4 sible when needed. The single member 13 thus serves not only as the battery spring but also as a holder for extra bulbs and the hinge between the bail and the base cap.

It is of course to be understood that various modifications may be made in the structure above described without in any way departing from the spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim: I V

1. In a flashlight, a base cap having an aperture in its cylindrical wall, a member having a central flat portion and end portions bent toward each other to form bows atthe ends of the central portion and an arch above such central portion, said central portion being in contact with the end of the cap and one bow extending through said aperture, a substantially circular split bail having its ends extending into said bow, and clips extending from said central portion for holding the spare bulb.

2. In a flashlight, a base cap having an aperture in its cylindrical wall, an integral punched member formed to provide a fiat central portion with end portions bent towardeach other to form bows at the ends of the central portion and an arch over said portion, said central portion being frictionally supported within said cap and having one bow extending through said aperture, the arch serving as the spring support for the battery of thefiashlight, a split, bail having its ends extending into said bow, and clips struck up from wings formed on said central portion for receiving spare bulbs.

Intestimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification.

JOSEPH FREITAG. 

